A Little of This and A Little of That......

Where have the past 2 weeks gone?!
I have a few little bits of info to share ...really just some random things to catch up on!

Saying Goodbye..

On August 3rd  we said good-bye to our friends, the Schuenkes!  They left for El Salvador to serve at Envision Wired in San Salvador.  You can follow their journey here.  There is a link to their blog Broken Vessels on the side bar of my page.

Oh how raw are the emotions when we have to say good-bye to those we love so much....

That morning when it was still dark we got up and went to the airport to say our good-byes to our dear friends who are like family to us....   They are headed out for a 2 year commitment to serving those in need, those who are broken, those who are lost, the fatherless and those without hope in San Salvador!  Never was it more true and real to say  "our loss is their gain". 

It has been a friendship that is truly more like family for all of us.  It has been years of growing together in Christ and years of being in the trenches of family life. What a treasure they are to us.  We know that God has been preparing them for this call and we are so honored to walk this journey with them!  As we look back at their lives we can clearly see how God has orchestrated the events that led up to this day of travel!  It is obvious that God has placed in each of their hearts His heart for the broken! They are not new to reaching out to the lost and broken hearted.  It is who they are...all of them.  There are many families that have been touched by at least one member of their family.  But they would be the first ones to tell you that it has absolutely NOTHING to do with who they are but WHO Christ is IN them!  They are not perfect, but they are sold out for Him!  They are obedient to Him.  They are willing.....  Oh what God can do with those who are willing! 

Last Sunday in church our pastor was talking about how we can seem "Crazy" to the world!  When we give everything to the Kingdom. When we are willing to leave in all out on the table for the Kingdom.  When we follow in obedience to what He is asking us to do!  That is how our friends are.  I pray that we will never forget the level of sacrifice they have displayed in leaving it all behind to reach those who need the Gospel! I remember one time when Lisa and I were talking about the reality of leaving their family...her parents....her brother..... all of her dear friends... She showed me a verse that brought her so much comfort....a verse God gave her a long long time ago...

 

Matthew 19:29

And everyone who has left houses or brother or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

 

 God answered her prayer...He saw her heart....He gave her His promise and His comfort!                    Oh How He Loves Us!

We grieve their missing presence in our lives....for now... We know that we will see them again and thanks to the technology of SKYPE we will see them via the net! 

 

Happy Birthday Sarah....

Would you like to bless a child on behalf of a special teenage girl?!  Our friends sweet daughter, Sarah just turned 15!  For her birthday this humble orphan loving girl was asking for donations towards bringing home a special boy also 15, who needs a forever family and is running out of time! 

You can read her blog and story here

Happy Birthday Sarah! We love you and are blessed by your heart!

 

The Storms of Life!

On Tuesday, August 6th our area was hit with 5 tornadoes!  Roger and I were awakened by the incredible winds....our windows were blown open and we had a hard time closing them.  The house shook and I said "Is this a tornado? Should we get the kids up?"  Roger said we would be ok.... And we were.... Outside things were a different story. We lost power for 2 days...lost a tree in our front yard...and parts and pieces of things on the house and in the yard...but we are all ok!  We will be blessed to have a new roof put on....completely a blessing from God! Along with a few things to be repaired and replaced!  Thankful for our trials and storms....

 

I have been hit with some sort of infection in my throat.....I have had "bouts" of this 3 times since coming home from Ethiopia...but this one I cannot seem to kick!  It is kicking me!  Up and down for a good month now.....it is hard to keep the daily routines on track.... I would love prayers for my health as we head into the new school year and the arrival of our boys!

 

Saying Goodbye part 2......

A few days ago we got word that Roger's brother had passed away.  He was 60yrs. old and lived alone about 1.5 hours north of us.  Ray was the oldest of the kids.  He lived alone and chose that...we didn't see him much...I think I have only seen him 3 times since I met Roger...21yrs ago.  So sad for the family.  We will be up there for the funeral in a few days to say a final good bye to Ray. 

 

David and Jonathan Update

Well we did not get the "miracle" we spoke of....but we are really ok.  As I have said before, I would get on a plane tomorrow if it was time, but it is so very clear to us that God is setting the pace and the perfect time for their arrival!  Most of it is about Levi....but there are other things He is working out!  We are anxious to bring them home...and that looks like it may be October...or even November...  For now we are waiting to hear of a court date...and praying for the boys continued progress in their foster home!  We will keep you all posted!

 

 

With love,

In His Embrace

laurie